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Travelling by boat is an excellent way to experience a destination. From cruising down the mighty Amazon river using local transport and lazy days spent on a houseboat on Australia’s Murray River, to taking the free Staten Island ferry for New York city views or exploring England’s network of canals, here are eight classic boat journeys from around the world …

1. England: Exploring the canals

Smooth Cruising: 8 classic boat journeys from around the worldBack to video

A network of canals criss-cross the country from the Pennines to Oxford, the Cheshire Plains to the Welsh hills, which all played a vital role in the industrial history of Britain. Hiring a canal boat to explore England’s peaceful inland waterways offers entry into a unique and fascinating world. Simplified controls make for easy handling and even if you are a novice, the trial run given before setting off independently, should turn you from landlubber to a seasoned sailor in no time. One of the great pleasures of a canal boat trip is enjoying the friendly community spirit that prevails among canal folk. There’s never a shortage of invitations for cups of tea aboard another boat or for a few brews down the canal side pubs. It’s a highly sociable life and a most agreeable way to travel.

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Cruising through meadows in the U.K.Andrew Marshall/PNGGoing down inside one of the locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.Andrew Marshall/PNGTraditional and colourfully decorated narrowboat.Andrew Marshall/PNGDistance marker on the Rochdale Canal.A/PNG

2. Peru/Brazil: The Amazon River by hammock

The mighty Amazon River is a highway for the endless stream of humanity that populates its furthest reaches, and the lifelines of the river communities are its boats. Laden with all types of cargo, from vehicles and livestock to farm machinery and boxes of groceries, the cargo boats are the public transport system of the world’s second longest river, and provided you go deck class, you can journey from the headwaters to the ocean like the locals do. The best place to start looking for boats is down by the harbour in Iquitos, Peru. You may even get lucky and find a boat heading for the Colombian/Brazilian border leaving on the same day. The trip takes around three days on a good current. From Tabatinga in Brazil, boats take four to six days to Manaus, a city in the middle of the Amazon rainforest. From there, it’s a further four to five days to Belem, the river mouth and the Atlantic Ocean. Bring your own hammock, plenty of snacks (as boat fare can be monotonous), plus mosquito repellent if you plan to do rainforest side trips.

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Hanging out on The Voyager, Brazil.Andrew Marshall/PNGMagnificent water lillies (Victoriana) on the tributary Yanayacu River.Andrew Marshall/PNGUnloading the boats at Manaus in Brazil.Andrew Marshall/PNG

3. Norway: Enjoy a boat trip on the West Norwegian Fjords

On the outskirts of Bergen, a beautiful city with a 15th-century waterfront on Norway’s west coast, is some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery — awe-inspiring, impossibly steep-sided fjords with their jutting fingers of sea that cut shimmering paths into the coastline. Two of these larger-than-life natural wonders, namely Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord (set 120 km from one another), are among the world’s longest, deepest and most scenically outstanding examples and were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005. Both feature narrow and sheer crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 metres from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 metres below. Numerous waterfalls tumble into the sea from the forests above, while wooden huts and small farms dot the lower verdant slopes. To really appreciate Geirangerfjord, take Norway’s most spectacular scheduled public ferry route between Geiranger and Hellesylt, or for a taste of the fjords, book a ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ one-day boat tour from Bergen with Fjord Tours.

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Cruise ship in Geirangerfjord.Per Eide/Submitted photo

4. Myanmar: Take a slow boat from Mandalay

Cutting a swathe through an ancient landscape of eroded mountains and flood plains, the greatest of all rivers in Indochina, the Irrawaddy, runs more than 2,000 km across Myanmar. Ancient and exotic cities stand on its banks with evocative names such as Mingun, Bagan and Mandalay. River travel plays an important role in the lives of the communities that populate its banks. For those who have only a few weeks to explore this amazing country, there are numerous day and overnight trips that can be taken in the small ferries that ply the river. The day long run between Mandalay and the ancient ruins of Bagan is popular. Travellers with more time can make the weeklong boat journey between Mandalay and Pye, where you claim deck space for a night under the stars.

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The mighty Irrawaddy is the greatest of all the rivers of Indo China.Andrew Marshall/PNGRiver travel still plays an important role and all manner of craft can be seen on the Irrawaddy River.Andrew Marshall/PNGThe magnificent ruins of Mingun Paya rise near the banks of the mighty Irrawaddy.Andrew Marshall/PNG

5. United States: New York views on the Staten Island Ferry

Every Big Apple visitor wants to see the Statue of Liberty, but with boat tours of New York Harbor taking up a fair bit of the travel budget, for a free alternative join commuters on the Staten Island Ferry to enjoy spectacular vistas of the Manhattan skyline and glimpses of Ellis Island, Governors Island and the Statue of Liberty. After leaving the southern tip of Manhattan’s financial district, the ferry takes about 25 minutes to make the five-mile crossing to Staten Island, where most visitors simply hop back on for the return journey to experience more city skyscraper views that are even more dramatic.

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The Staten Island Ferry is a free way to enjoy great views of New York.Paul Marshall/PNG

6. Panama: Down the ‘Big Ditch’

Known locally as the “Big Ditch” and extending 80 km from Panama City on the Pacific coast to Colon on the Caribbean Sea, the Panama Canal is truly one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. If you’ve ever fancied crossing a continent by boat, then this trip is for you. You may be surprised to discover that the canal is a system of locks, canals and lakes all linked together and, even more surprising, is that it traverses a region blessed with one of the richest bio-diversities in the world. There’s a strong sense of excitement and completion when the final lock doors open and the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea is seen for the first time. This is one of the world’s great boat journeys.

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Going up inside the huge Mirraflores Lock System.Andrew Marshall/PNGPanama hats for sale.Andrew Marshall/PNGFriendly local kids near the Panama canal have their own boat transport.Andrew Marshall/PNG

7. India: Lazy days on the Kerala Backwaters

India’s southern-most state, Kerala lies sandwiched between the Western Ghats mountains and the Arabian Sea — and a travel highlight is watching rural life unfold, while floating along its famous backwaters; a languid maze-like tangle of lagoons, rivers and canals so narrow that coconut palms lean precariously out over the water on either side to form tunnels of tropical green. Constructed of dark lustrous jack wood, with planks stitched and caulked with coir in an age-old manner, old rice barges known as “kettuvallam” have been plying these intricate waterways for nearly a century. Today, many have been converted into traditional-style thatched houseboats complete with bedrooms, bathrooms and dining areas. The boats typically include the services of a captain and chef, and its possible to a take journeys ranging from a few hours to several days, between the backwater cities of Kollam, Alappuzha and Kochi.

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Punting towards one of the many shore attractions along the Pompa River.Andrew Marshall/PNGThe best dining views in India.Andrew Marshall/PNGThe best way to experience the backwaters of Kerala is on a kettuvallam (converted rice boat).Andrew Marshall/PNG

8. Australia: Meandering on the mighty Murray River

Australia’s mighty Murray River is a wonderful year round getaway and there is only one way to truly experience its recuperative powers, and that’s by being on it. There’s a saying, “If you need of a month’s holiday but don’t have time — take a few days on a houseboat.” Spend your days relaxing on board or moving on when you get the urge. Houseboats are a floating “home away from home” coming fully equipped with everything you need. They are also easy to manoeuvre and handle; in fact driving a car is more complicated. If you are prone to seasickness, it’s a pleasure to know that life on the Murray is “smooth sailing” all the way.

Dawn on the mighty Murray River.Andrew Marshall/PNGHouseboats are easy to handle and steer and a great pace of travel on the Murray River.Andrew Marshall/PNG

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